For much of the U.S., the on-site building season can take place almost year-round.
But not so more northern climates in the United States, or Canada, where the conventional construction season is fairly short.
So, when a widely known organization like Habitat for Humanity turns to modular construction in a state like Maine, it’s a potential win for many on a variety of levels.
The teaming up of Habitat with modular construction is reportedly a first in the state of Maine. But it has occurred in Canada, and a few other places, as the video on this page reflects.
Per Maine’s Forecaster, “Habitat for Humanity/7 Rivers Maine’s first modular home arrived in the city Oct. 11, the start of a new trend for the group that builds affordable houses.”
As of Tuesday had raised nearly $11,000 out of a $30,000 goal has been raised to support the effort, via another first for the group – a crowd-sourced funding initiative.
The homebuyer is reportedly able to afford “a certain amount to purchase the home, and Habitat is subsidizing the rest through the $30,000 campaign, according to Kathy Smith, Habitat’s director of development.”
Bath-based Dirigo Custom Structures was used to build the modular home, being sited at 167 Middle St in Bath.
The home has a “daylight basement” which the home was placed over.
“They popped it on and secured it, and it’s buttoned up,” Habitat’s Smith said in an interview Oct. 17. “And now this Saturday we start with volunteers going in to complete the home.”
Finishing the basement, siding, a front porch, and other completion items are expected to occur over the next eight weeks.
“We’re hoping to have the homeowner and family in before Christmas, even maybe mid-December, if possible,” Smith said.
Habitat’s Deal
Habitat for Humanity requires homeowners to invest “sweat equity hours” into the construction process. Because the modular home is prefabricated, the three-member family has been helping out at Habitat’s ReStore in Topsham, Maine. They will also work alongside volunteers at the home site, doing the described completion work, noted above.
Once finished, there will be about 1,500 square feet of space.
Smith said they don’t know the precise savings to be expected, which they will determine once the project is completed. Beyond the cost savings, as factory built home professionals know, there will be “a number of months” in saved construction time.
The Bath home is the 45th house built by Habitat/7 Rivers in its 25-year history, the Forecaster said. ## (News, analysis.)
(Image credits are as shown above, and when provided by third parties, are shared under fair use guidelines.)
